15 Black Actresses With Businesses Outside Hollywood

Apparently, memorizing lines was only step one, because some actresses decided running entire companies sounded like a fun side quest. Between movie premieres and press tours, these women somehow found time to build brands, launch businesses, and collect CEO titles like bonus awards season trophies.

Hollywood gave them a spotlight, but they clearly preferred the corner office with better lighting and ownership papers.

1. Tracee Ellis Ross – Founder Of Pattern Beauty

Ross launched Pattern Beauty after years of searching for formulas that truly understood textured hair.

The line focuses on formulas and tools created specifically for curls, coils, and waves, addressing needs long ignored by mainstream brands.

Using the line feels like having a best friend who finally understands every hair struggle. Her brand celebrates natural texture instead of working against it.

Wash day becomes easier with products designed to work just as hard as you do.

2. Taraji P. Henson – Founder Of TPH By Taraji

Watching a loved one struggle with scalp issues sparked the idea behind TPH by Taraji. Natural ingredients became the foundation of a line designed to nourish hair and skin without harsh chemicals, a mission Henson shaped from personal experience.

Self-care becomes the focus, turning everyday routines into something restorative rather than complicated.

Each product carries her personal stamp of approval, tested and trusted before reaching shelves. Hollywood glamour meets everyday wellness through a brand built on real-life needs.

3. Issa Rae – Formed Hoorae Media

Rae turned YouTube success into a media powerhouse. Hoorae Media develops television shows, films, and digital content that amplify underrepresented voices.

The company operates like a creative playground where fresh stories get greenlit. From comedy to drama, Hoorae tackles projects that challenge the status quo and spark conversation.

It’s storytelling with a mission statement attached.

4. Queen Latifah – Co-Founded Flavor Unit Entertainment

Decades in the industry led to the creation of Flavor Unit Entertainment, a company built for long-term success rather than short trends. Latifah co-founded the venture with an eye toward lasting influence in entertainment.

The company’s operations, which include film and television as well as more general talent-focused activity, provide structure and impetus to innovative ideas.

Business instincts helped transform hip-hop beginnings into Hollywood success. Flavor Unit stands as proof that strong vision can outlast any single role or album.

5. Viola Davis – Co-Founded JuVee Productions

Davis co-founded JuVee Productions with her husband to tell stories that matter.

The company champions projects centered on women and people of color, filling gaps left by mainstream studios.

JuVee operates on the belief that representation changes lives, not just screen time. Each project carries weight, purpose, and the kind of depth Davis brings to every performance.

With genuine industry effect, it is narrative with a purpose.

6. Kerry Washington – Launched Simpson Street

The name ‘Simpson Street’ is often described as personal to Washington, reflecting roots and the kind of stories she prioritizes and the stories that formed her perspective. Washington grounded the production company in that connection to community and experience.

Film and television projects developed under the banner focus on complex characters and overlooked narratives, turning storytelling into something deeply intentional.

Authenticity takes priority over formulas, allowing content to resonate well beyond opening weekend. Her company shows how star power can evolve into meaningful creative control.

7. Lena Waithe – Founded Hillman Grad

Mentorship and opportunity sit at the heart of Hillman Grad, a company founded to support emerging creators and champion bold storytelling. Waithe built the venture as a space where new voices could grow and be heard.

Operating like a creative incubator, the company nurtures talent that might otherwise be overlooked within the industry.

Television, film, and digital projects developed there aim to push boundaries and challenge expectations rather than follow trends. Her company reflects a commitment to giving others a genuine seat at the table.

8. Jada Pinkett Smith – Co-Founded Westbrook

A shared vision led to the creation of Westbrook, a media company spanning film, television, and digital content.

Pinkett Smith helped launch Westbrook Inc. in 2019 alongside Will Smith and partners Miguel Melendez and Kosaku Yada to build an entertainment brand with lasting reach. Blockbuster films and intimate talk shows exist under the same banner, placing the company at the intersection of entertainment and cultural impact.

Every project reflects a commitment to storytelling designed to educate, entertain, and elevate. Hollywood ambition meets purpose through a strategy that keeps audiences returning.

9. Oprah Winfrey – Founded Harpo Productions

Winfrey founded Harpo Productions in 1986, creating one of the most influential media companies in history.

The studio produced her legendary talk show and countless films, documentaries, and television series. Harpo became synonymous with quality content that uplifts and informs.

It’s the blueprint for turning personal brand into business empire.

Her company redefined what women, especially Black women, could achieve in media ownership.

10. Tyra Banks – Founded Smize & Dream

Smize & Dream began as a playful idea that blended indulgence with a broader purpose. Banks launched the ice cream brand with flavors designed to celebrate inclusivity while supporting entrepreneurship in underserved communities.

Dessert becomes more than a treat, carrying a mission rooted in opportunity and encouragement.

Every pint sold contributes to programs that help young people pursue their goals. Sweet, fun, and purposeful energy defines a brand built to give back while satisfying cravings.

11. Gabrielle Union – Co-Founded PROUDLY

After struggling to find baby care products designed with the needs of babies with richly pigmented skin in mind, Union helped launch PROUDLY to meet that need. Gentle, effective solutions were created for babies and toddlers of color.

Mainstream brands had overlooked that gap for far too long, leaving families searching for better options.

PROUDLY celebrates diverse families while maintaining strong standards for quality and safety. Parenting essentials feel more personal when created by someone who understands the need firsthand.

12. Tia Mowry – Launched 4U By Tia

Confidence in natural texture inspired the launch of 4U by Tia, a line created to support women embracing their curls, waves, and coils. Mowry developed products designed to give hair the extra care it often needs.

Wash day starts to feel easier, almost like having a trusted hair expert guiding the routine.

Simplicity and effectiveness drive the brand’s philosophy, cutting through overly complicated regimens. Busy schedules no longer stand in the way of consistently good hair days.

13. Keke Palmer – Founded KeyTV Network

Palmer founded KeyTV Network to create digital content that speaks directly to her generation.

The platform produces original shows, interviews, and series that blend entertainment with real talk. KeyTV operates like a digital living room where honest conversations happen.

Palmer’s network prioritizes authenticity over polish, capturing moments that feel genuine and unfiltered. It’s media for people who crave connection over perfection.

14. Halle Berry – Launched Respin Health

Honest conversations about menopause inspired the creation of Respin Health, a platform built to approach the subject with clarity and expertise. Berry launched the venture to support women navigating this stage of life with confidence.

The platform blends education, community, and personalized support focused on menopause care, helping users feel informed rather than isolated.

Respin challenges long-standing silence by treating menopause as a natural transition instead of a taboo topic.

Her venture shows wellness spaces can address subjects many avoid, blending healthcare with empowerment.

15. Tiffany Haddish – Founded The She Ready Foundation

Haddish founded the She Ready Foundation to support foster youth aging out of the system. The nonprofit provides resources, mentorship, and opportunities to young people navigating adulthood without family support.

It’s comedy with a conscience, using her platform for real change.

The foundation reflects Haddish’s own foster care experience, turning pain into purpose. She Ready proves that giving back can be the most rewarding role of all.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational and entertainment purposes. Business details, brand ownership, and timelines can change, and readers should verify current information directly with official company sources.